Rick Mayer
Digital ProducerI’m the online producer for Health News Florida, a collaboration of public radio stations and NPR that delivers news about health care issues.
This is an important position at WUSF. In 2019, the typical U.S. family spent about 11 percent of its annual income on health care, so it stands to reason issues of cost, quality, access and innovation are consequential to all Floridians. Then COVID-19 came along, and the weight of these matters gained exponentially. I take our reporting on these topics quite seriously, as I’m sure you do, too.
Literally growing up in newsrooms and a little serendipity along the way prepared me well for the post. Here’s the abridged version: I’m a Tampa guy, graduating from H.B. Plant High and thrust into the world with my USF degree rolled tightly in hand. From there, it was three mostly sleepless decades as an editor at The Tampa Tribune, then developing and managing an online journal serving physician executives. There’s also my side job editing a statewide health magazine.
And being married to a longtime hospital nurse/case manager helps; dinner conversation often gives me a feel of what’s happening on the front lines. The good and not-so-good.
Of course, my time isn’t always spent flailing in the health news vortex. You’re actually more likely to find me breaking down the Bucs, Bulls or Bolts after a game, taking Oodle the poodle to the dog park or tinkering the backroom piano while vicariously reliving my former life as a musician. (Remember, kids: Parents of percussionists have plenty of patience. Plenty!)
Contact Rick on X @rmayer2361 or by email at Mayer1@wusf.org.
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Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and others will be present at Monday's town hall, which will address several issues — including whether streets should be closed to vehicular traffic on the weekends. -
After months of planning to maintain the ice in the Florida sun, the NHL and Mother Nature offer an ideal wintry mix at Raymond James Stadium for this year's Stadium Series game. -
The DeSantis administration's Healthy Florida First initiative finds traces of the toxic element in several popular candies. How dangerous is this? Manufacturers criticize the testing as "misguided." -
SSA Marine said its port would be just south of the seaward side of the Sunshine Skyway and would complement Port Tampa Bay's operations. The land is on an environmentally sensitive island, worrying advocates. -
Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan said he's confident the Rays can work out a deal to build a stadium on the North Dale Mabry campus. If not, he told WDAE, don't be surprised if they end up in Orlando. -
Baseball's annual reset is almost here. The schedule has a few tweaks this year with the World Baseball Classic and Spring Breakout for prospects. Here's a quick info bank on the when, where and how much. -
Dr. Carlos Abanses of St. Joseph's Children's Hospital in Tampa offers guidance on prevention, symptoms, vaccines, fever fears, hydration and when to get emergency care. -
The facility — the first completed project of Moffitt's 775-acre Speros innovation hub — will be part of a growing and competitive cancer-care market in the Tampa Bay region. -
The outbreak occurred on Holland America's Rotterdam during a voyage from Dec. 28 to Jan. 9. The cruise line notified the CDC on Jan. 8 after passengers and crew began reporting gastrointestinal illness. -
The free event will be staged along 16th Street South while repairs and renovations continue to prepare the hurricane-damaged stadium for the April 6 home opener.
